BMW PGA Championship Preview, Betting Tips & Best Odds Guide

Away from the Open Championship, the PGA is the most important event to be held in the UK and it’s one of the few to attract a much stronger field with top golfers from around the world, writes Matt.

First held in 1955 and officially incorporated within the European Tour in 1972, it has some history and is part of the tradition of the Bank Holiday sporting weekend. While there are notable absentees this week, there is a welcome return for some of the UK’s best golfers, including the man at the head of the market.

Leading the way at the top of the PGA Championship outright betting odds is Justin Rose who can be picked up at 11/1 with Paddy Power and Coral. Rose also leads the Power Rankings this week but, in his only appearance since that thrilling second place at the Masters, he finished a disappointing 65th at the Players Championship.

Just behind the leader is Open Champion Henrik Stenson at an industry best of 14/1 with Paddy Power and Boylesports. Of those two, neither has won this event although Rose has the better record with two runner up slots, the first of which came back in 2007. Stenson, meanwhile, missed four consecutive cuts prior to his 17th at Sawgrass which suggests he should be avoided.

A strong option for many this week is current British Masters Champions Alex Noren. The Swede has failed to impress Stateside recently but will be happier back in Europe and he looks good value at 20/1 for the win in the PGA Championship odds with Paddy Power.

The defending Champion this week is Chris Wood who finds himself right at the very end of the chasing pack at best odds of 35/1 with Bet365 and Betfred. The 29 year old took the trophy last year by one shot from Rikard Kallberg and while it’s been a quiet start to 2017, an impressive last three rounds at the China Open took Wood to fourth place and suggests he may be peaking for a strong defence.

At the very least, Wood’s performance last year should make him a confirmed tip for a Top Ten finish at 10/3 with Paddy Power.

At a much shorter best price of 25/1 with Bet365 and Stan James, Thomas Pieters looks interesting. After a decent Ryder Cup debut, the Belgian continued to show an appetite for the big occasion with a Tied 4th at the Masters last month and he has the stats needed to compete here.

Finally for this section, Tyrrell Hatton has been subdued in recent weeks but was consistent enough to give us some Top Ten profits at the start of 2017 and, back on home soil, he is a strong option at 25/1 with William Hill and Coral in the outrights.

Luke Donald has two victories and a runners up place in this event and while his overall form may be dipping, we saw at the RBC Heritage last month that he can still perform at his favoured events. A fifth second place there suggests you should be looking at the Englishman at 55/1 with Betfred in the outrights or 9/2 with Stan James for a Top Ten finish.

Other options at distant prices include 2014 runner up Shane Lowry at a top price of 50/1 with Bet365 and the erratic but dangerous Russell Knox at an excellent 66/1 with SkyBet.

The PGA is held on the West Course at Wentworth which is a par 72 at just over 7,300 yards. Despite its comparative length, driving distance and accuracy are rarely rewarded here but the greens in regulation stat is one to look for. In 2016, Wood ranked fourth for GIR and that’s a fairly typical indicator from each of the last ten years.

Multiple winners are relatively common with Sir Nick Faldo holding the record at four victories while Luke Donald was the last to complete a double in 2012. Donald’s tendency for strong showings in certain events makes him a tip for the Top Ten at 9/2 with Stan James while our additional preferences in this market are Wood at 10/3 with Paddy Power, Pieters at 5/2 with Stan James, Hatton at 9/4 with Stan James and Knox at 5/1 with Paddy Power.

As for the winner, Rose has the credentials and is desperate to win this event but Noren has the stats, and a more consistent set of results on the European Tour has us backing the Swede at that 20/1 in the PGA Championship betting odds with Paddy Power.